Cam-controlled boat

ABSTRACT

A combined propulsion and steering mechanism for a toy boat. An electric motor, geared down to drive a cam, is connected by gears to a propeller on a simulated outboard motor mounted in a special pivotal holder in the stern section of the boat. A cam follower linkage connects the cam to the pivotal holder to pivot the outboard motor and propeller according to the cam profile.

[ 1 June 5,1973

Write States Patent 1 Nielsen 1,118,674 11/1961Germany..................................46/93 415,074 8/1934 GreatBritain........... ................46/93 Primary ExaminerLouis G.Mancene ['22] Filed: Sept. 27, 1971 [21] App1.No.: 184,089

Assistant ExaminerRobert F. Cutting Attorney-Richard M. Rabkin aa e mmmd .5 m n cw 0 md 8d .mm T mm C m A s R dm T. nt 8 30 B nm A .mc bfl uolc 3 n wA .m .mm o 1 o 7 y DAw 34 mmm 634 2 "h 3V mA ""3 ""4 "m2 mm3 ""9u/ 6 m mmhu u c r 8 .e HS L l WM .w UhF III 2 8 555 cam, is connected bygears to a propeller on a simulated outboard motor mounted in a specialpivotal [5 6] References Cited holder in the stern section of the boat.A cam follower linkage connects the cam to the pivotal holder to pivotthe outboard motor and propeller according to the cam profile.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,528,195 9/1970Cooper.................................46/93X 46/244 D 3,600,851 8/1971Nielson.......,......................

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 33,1097/1965 Germany.........................46/243 MV to? M1. 4/

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PATHJTEDJUH 5 I975 PATENTEUJUN 5 I975 SHEET 2 UF 2 INVENTOR EDWIN N/ELSEN 33 6&

III I I I I IIIITI] 4Lu 1 CAM-CONTROLLED BOAT BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the fieldof propulsion and steering mechanisms for toy boats and the like, and inparticular it relates to an electrically driven device for actuating acam to steer a simulated outboard motor for a toy boat andsimultaneously to provide propulsive power through the simulatedoutboard motor to a propeller.

2. The Prior Art Toy outboard motor boats of the type disclosed in U. S.Pat. No. 3,528,195 include a hull in which batteries are located and asimulated outboard structure that houses an electric motor connected tothe batteries to receive electric power from them. The motor may bepivoted by hand from one position to another, but this only determineswhether the boat will go straight ahead or will turn left or right tomake large or small circles. Once the boat has been released, there isno further control over it until it is recaptured, and it simply followsthe simple pattern repetitively.

Other toy boats have had gear-driven rudders to change course, but therudder and propeller drives were non-releasably coupled, and the pathsthat could be followed by the boats as they moved through the water werestill somewhat limited. Any complexity in movement was achieved only bymeans of costly operating mechanism.

Many toy boats simulate only inboard motor boats, and yet, there is anexcitement about full-sized outboard motor boats, that make toy outboardboats very desirable to children.

In an entirely different part of the toy field, a toy car has beendescribed in US. Pat. No. 3,600,851. The.

motor that provides driving power for the wheels also actuates thesteering mechanism by means of a Geneva mechanism connected to a camthat controls the steer,- ing mechanism. This cam mechanism is made sothat it is easy to remove one cam and replace it by another of differentconfiguration in order to cause the car to follow different paths on anopen floor.

It is one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide arealistic toy motor boat that incorporates a separable, steerablepropulsion unit and a hullmounted power plant and steering controldevice, all with sufficient simplicity to be made at a reasonable cost.

Another object is to provide a toy boat with a simulated outboard motorseparable from the hull and having propeller drive means that engagepower means in the hull when the simulated motor is attached thereto.

Still a further object is to utilize a cam mechanism similar to that inthe aforesaid US. Pat. No. 3,600,851 but with different means connectingthe motor, to the cam to control the steering of a toy boat whileutilizing the one inboard motor to rotate both the steering cam atrelatively low speeds and an outboard, steerable propeller turning at arelatively high speed.

Other objects will become apparent from the following description,including the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION rotating a cam. The boat has atiller-receptacle at its stern connected to the cam by a pivotalcam-follower to pivot the receptacle back and forth according to theconvolutions of the cam. The receptacle has a noncircular opening toreceive a support post of matching shape on the underside of a simulatedoutboard motor. Within the shell of the simulated motor are gear means,one of which extends through the front of the shell to mesh with a geardriven by the motor in the hull. The rest of the gear means in the shelldrive a propeller from the motor mounted in the hull. The motor turnsthe propeller at a high enough number of revolutions per minute to causethe boat to move at relatively high speed. The reduction in the gear toycauses the steering cam driven by the same motor to turn at a relativelylow speed so that the boat can move a substantial distance along eachheading determined by the convolutions of the cam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toyboat constructed according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the hull of the boat in FIG. 1 with the deckremoved to show the motor, gearbox, and cam.

FIG. 3 shows the cam-follower steering means used in the mechanism inFIG. 2. I

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the gearbox and cam of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the gearbox and cam of FIG. 4 with some of theparts broken away to show constructional features more clearly.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a simulated outboard motor as usedin the boat in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The boat 11 shown in FIG. 1includes a hull 12 and a deck 13. The latter is preferably removable toallow access to working mechanism in the hull and, incidentally, toallow decks of different styling to be used on a common hull design. Atthe stern of the boat 11 is a simulated outboard motor. The motor has apropeller 16 attached realistically to a vertical support 17 andextending from a housing 18 at the lower end of the support. A switchhandle 19 extends through the deck 13 and is the means by which the boat11 can be started and stopped.

FIG. 2 shows the hull 12 without the deck of FIG. 1.

Two projections 21 and 22 on the sides of the hull serve as latchingmeans to attach the deck to the hull. Both the deck and the hull arepreferably made of plastic so that they can look as realistic aspossible. The plastic hull 11 has sufficient flexibility to allow itssides to be pressed inwardly to allow the projections 21 and 22 toengage matchingrecesses in the deck.

. Power for the boat is furnished by two batteries 23 and 24, which maybe of any suitable size, such as the size of penlite cells. Thebatteries are connected by the wires 26 and 27 to a motor 25. The wire26 is connected to one motor terminal 28 directly. The other wire isconnected to the other motor terminal 29 by way of a simple,single-pole-single-throw switch 31 controlled by the handle 19.

The motor 25 is mounted on a speed-reducing gearbox 32 and is'connectedto the gears in the gearbox by a gear on the shaft 30. The gears in thegearbox are connected finally to a shaft 33 on which a cam 34 ismounted. The shaft 33 has diametrically opposed ears 36' and 37 that fitthrough slots 38 and 39 in the cam 34. The cam 34 can then be turnedslightly to cause the ears to move on top of recessed portions of thecam. In so doing the ears 36 and 37 are forced past two smallprojections 41 and 42 that prevent the cam 34 from working loose on theshaft 33.

A cam-follower 43 has a goose-neck end with a rounded nose that ispressed against the cam surface to respond to the convolutions of thatsurface. The camfollower 43 is connected to a tiller-receptacle 44 atthe stern. This receptacle has a square recess 46 to receive a similarlyshaped support post of the motor 14 (FIG. I

FIG. 3 shows the cam-follower 43. At one end is an arm 47 with agoose-neck end. The tip 48 is rounded to minimize wear of the surface ofthe cam 34. The fol lower 43 has a central pivotal support 49. At theend of the follower that faces the stern of the boat is an open bridge51 with a central post 52 extending from it on the side that facesdownwardly when the follower is in operative position in the boat. Thispost actuates the tiller receptacle (FIG. 2) to steer the boat. The boatchanges from one heading to another in accordance with the convolusionsof the cam surface, and the length of time that the boat follows any oneheading is determined by the speed of rotation of the cam and thedistance along the periphery of the cam from one end to the other of aconstant radius portion.

FIGS. 4 and show the gearbox 32 and associated parts. The box has ahousing comprising a lower plate 53 on which are several rigid shafts 5456 to support gears and pinions 57 65. Each of the gears is identicaland, except for the gear 65, is moulded of plastic with an associatedpinion. The latter are also identical, so that the gear-pinion sets areinterchangeable. Each of the shafts 54 56 has a shoulder that allows thegearpinion sets to slide down to the proper level. Of course, the gear57 and its associated pinion have to be put on first since they are atthe lowest level. The gear 57 meshes with a gear on the drive shaft ofthe motor 25 (FIG. 2) and the remainder of the gears and pinion mesh intheir numericalorder. The final gear 65 drives the shaft 33 on which thecam 34 is mounted.

The cam follower 43 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 56. The pin 52fits in a slot 67 formed in a projection 68 that extends from thetiller-receptacle 44 to pivot the latter in response to movement of thecam follower 43. The latter is controlled by the relatively slowlyrotating cam 34. The movement of the boat is normally along a closedpath because the convolutions of the cam 34 are normally symmetrical.

The simulated motor 14 includes a molded plastic shell 69 that hasintegral bosses 71 and 72 to guide the endsof gear shafts 73 and 74. Asupport shaft 75 that has a square cross section is non-rotatablyattached to the shell 69 and fits into the square receptacle 46 of thetiller-receptacle 44. The shaft 75 thus supports the motor 14 on thestern of the boat and provides the necessary steering coupling.

Two gears 76 and 77 are meshed together and are supported on the shafts73 and 74. The gear 76 is loose on its shaft and extends through thefront of the housing 69 to engage a gear 78 (FIG. 2) on the motor 25.This gear is preferably on the other end of the shaft 30 from the gearconnected to the gearbox 32. The gear 77 is rigidly attached to itsshaft 74 to rotate the latter.

A pair of bevel gears 79 and 81 in the housing i8 couple the shaft 74 tothe propeller 16.

When the deck 13 is in place and support shaft of the motor 14 is in thetiller-receptacle 44, the boat is ready to run and to follow any pathdefined by the cam 34. The switch handle 19 can easily be reached tostart and stop the motor, and, as stated, a different cam may easily beinserted to cause the boat to follow a different path.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy boat comprising:

A. a hull;

B. a motor drive means mounted in said hull;

C. a cam driven by said motor drive means;

D. a pivotally mounted tiller comprising a post mounted substantiallyvertically in said hull and having a non-circular receptacle in the endthereof;

E. a cam follower connecting said cam to said tiller to control pivotingthereof; and

F. detachable propulsion means connectable to said tiller to be pivotedthereby and comprising means to engage said motor drive means when saidpropulsion means is connected to said tiller, said propulsion meansincluding a support post of matching non-circular cross-section fittinginto said receptacle whereby pivoting of said tiller causes pivoting ofsaid propulsion means.

2. The toy boat of claim 1 in which said cam-follower and said tillerare connected together by pin and slot means.

3. A toy boat comprising a hull having a rear wall, motor drive meansincluding an output shaft mounted in said hull, a cam having apredetermined peripheral configuration rotatably mounted in said hulland being operatively connected to said drive means output shaft forrotation thereby; a tiller structure pivotally mounted in said hulladjacent said rear wall; a cam follower lever pivotally mounted in saidhull and having a first end defining a cam follower engaged with saidcam and a second end operatively connected to said tiller for pivotingsaid tiller in response to rotation of said cam; and propulsion meansremovably connected to said tiller for rotation therewith in response torotation of said cam, said propulsion means including a frame, apropeller rotatably mounted in said frame, and means for drivinglyconnecting said propeller to the output shaft of said drive means insaid hull whereby during operation of said motor the position of saidframe and propeller are varied and said propeller is rotated, thereby todrive said boat and simultaneously vary its direction of movement.

4. The toy boat of claim 3, including gear box means mounted in saidhull for connecting said motor to said cam, said gear box meanscomprising:

A. a housing;

B. a plurality of interchangeable gear'and pinion sets;

and

C. a plurality of support shafts in said housing to support said set,said shafts having shoulders to support said sets at selected levels.

5. The toy boat of claim 4 in which said cam-follower is pivotallymounted on one of said shafts.

6. The toy boat of claim -3 in which said tiller comprises a postmounted substantially vertically in said hull and having a non-circularreceptacle in the end thereof and said propulsion means including asupport post of matching non-circular cross-section fitting into saidreceptacle thereby to removably connect said propulsion means to saidtiller.

7. The toy boat of claim 3 in which said propulsion means framecomprises a motor shaped shell; and said propulsion means includes asupport post non-pivotally engageable with said tiller to pivot inresponse to movement of said tiller.

8. The toy boat of claim 7 wherein said means for drivingly connectingsaid propeller to the output shaft of said drive means includes gearmeans in said shell connected to drive said propeller.

9. The toy boat of claim 8 in which one gear of said gear means extendsthrough an opening in said shell to mesh with said motor drive means.

10. The toy boat of claim 9 including:

A. gear means mounted on one end of said drive shaft to connect to saidone gear extending through said opening; and

B. gear means mounted on the other end of said drive shaft to connectsaid shaft to said gear box.

1 l. A toy boat comprising, a hull; motor drive'means mounted in saidhull;.a cam driven by said motor drive means; a pivotally mountedtiller; a cam follower con:

necting said cam to said tiller to control pivoting thereof; anddetachable propulsion means connectable to said tiller to be pivotedthereby; said propulsion means comprising:

A. a motor-shaped shell;

B. a support post non-pivotally engageable with said tiller to pivot inresponse to movement of said tiller;

C. a propeller; and

D. gear means in said shell connected to drive said propeller; one ofsaid gear means extending through an opening in said shell to mesh withsaid motor drive means.

B. a support post non-pivotally engageable with said tiller to pivot inresponse to movement of said tiller;

C. a propeller; and

D. gear means in said shell connected to drive said propeller; one ofsaid gear means extending through an opening in said shell to mesh withsaid motor drive means.

1. A toy boat comprising: A. a hull; B. a motor drive means mounted insaid hull; C. a cam driven by said motor drive means; D. a pivotallymounted tiller comprising a post mounted substantially vertically insaid hull and having a non-circular receptacle in the end thereof; E. acam follower connecting said cam to said tiller to control pivotingthereof; and F. detachable propulsion means connectable to said tillerto be pivoted thereby and comprising means to engage said motor drivemeans when said propulsion means is connected to said tiller, saidpropulsion means including a support post of matching noncircularcroSs-section fitting into said receptacle whereby pivoting of saidtiller causes pivoting of said propulsion means.
 2. The toy boat ofclaim 1 in which said cam-follower and said tiller are connectedtogether by pin and slot means.
 3. A toy boat comprising a hull having arear wall, motor drive means including an output shaft mounted in saidhull, a cam having a predetermined peripheral configuration rotatablymounted in said hull and being operatively connected to said drive meansoutput shaft for rotation thereby; a tiller structure pivotally mountedin said hull adjacent said rear wall; a cam follower lever pivotallymounted in said hull and having a first end defining a cam followerengaged with said cam and a second end operatively connected to saidtiller for pivoting said tiller in response to rotation of said cam; andpropulsion means removably connected to said tiller for rotationtherewith in response to rotation of said cam, said propulsion meansincluding a frame, a propeller rotatably mounted in said frame, andmeans for drivingly connecting said propeller to the output shaft ofsaid drive means in said hull whereby during operation of said motor theposition of said frame and propeller are varied and said propeller isrotated, thereby to drive said boat and simultaneously vary itsdirection of movement.
 4. The toy boat of claim 3, including gear boxmeans mounted in said hull for connecting said motor to said cam, saidgear box means comprising: A. a housing; B. a plurality ofinterchangeable gear and pinion sets; and C. a plurality of supportshafts in said housing to support said set, said shafts having shouldersto support said sets at selected levels.
 5. The toy boat of claim 4 inwhich said cam-follower is pivotally mounted on one of said shafts. 6.The toy boat of claim 3 in which said tiller comprises a post mountedsubstantially vertically in said hull and having a non-circularreceptacle in the end thereof and said propulsion means including asupport post of matching non-circular cross-section fitting into saidreceptacle thereby to removably connect said propulsion means to saidtiller.
 7. The toy boat of claim 3 in which said propulsion means framecomprises a motor shaped shell; and said propulsion means includes asupport post non-pivotally engageable with said tiller to pivot inresponse to movement of said tiller.
 8. The toy boat of claim 7 whereinsaid means for drivingly connecting said propeller to the output shaftof said drive means includes gear means in said shell connected to drivesaid propeller.
 9. The toy boat of claim 8 in which one gear of saidgear means extends through an opening in said shell to mesh with saidmotor drive means.
 10. The toy boat of claim 9 including: A. gear meansmounted on one end of said drive shaft to connect to said one gearextending through said opening; and B. gear means mounted on the otherend of said drive shaft to connect said shaft to said gear box.
 11. Atoy boat comprising, a hull; motor drive means mounted in said hull; acam driven by said motor drive means; a pivotally mounted tiller; a camfollower connecting said cam to said tiller to control pivoting thereof;and detachable propulsion means connectable to said tiller to be pivotedthereby; said propulsion means comprising: A. a motor-shaped shell; B. asupport post non-pivotally engageable with said tiller to pivot inresponse to movement of said tiller; C. a propeller; and D. gear meansin said shell connected to drive said propeller; one of said gear meansextending through an opening in said shell to mesh with said motor drivemeans. B. a support post non-pivotally engageable with said tiller topivot in response to movement of said tiller; C. a propeller; and D.gear means in said shell connected to drive said propeller; one of saidgear means extending through an opening in said shell to mesh with saidmotor drive means.